CFE Agenda 121117 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Dear Orange County Commission for the Environment: November 1, 2017 I met with your advisory group on June 12, 2017, to discuss the efforts to-date on the identification of Orange County roadsides that have significant native wildflower occurrences. The goal is to provide the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) with data to support the 2012 resolution on the Conservation of Native Wildflowers along Orange County Roadways (attached). The resolution appropriately points out that in addition to aesthetics, native wildflowers are “essential to the fitness of native pollinator species necessary for productive and profitable farms and forests.” The Commission for the Environment (CfE), in 2012, recognized that the use of herbicides in the last decade to control vegetation, rather than by the more traditional mowing method, was harming native wildflowers. Mowing, even done at the “wrong” time of year (i.e., during flowering), is far preferable to the use of herbicides. Mowing can actually benefit sun-loving plants (heliophytes) by reducing woody plant cover. Herbicides, on the other hand, kill wildflowers even when the woody plants are the intended target, which disrupts pollinator habitat and renders roadsides unsightly. A recommendation was subsequently submitted by the CfE to the BOCC, who unanimously adopted the following resolution on June 19, 2012: The Orange County Board of Commissioners does hereby commit and encourage others to commit to the conservation of roadside native wildflowers along the roadways in Orange County, and do hereby authorize the Commission for the Environment and County staff to work with the NC Department of Transportation, utility companies, and property owners to plan and implement roadside management practices that will increase the visibility and enjoyment of North Carolina native wildflowers. North Carolina Botanical Garden Conservation Department staff and University of North Carolina Biology Department faculty created a roadside inventory check sheet (attached) that provides a target list of native wildflowers. A “watch for” list was also prepared for the rare and extirpated plants of Orange County that might be found on roadsides. Percent cover of each species was also collected as a way to evaluate relative abundance. North Carolina Botanical Garden Conservation Department biologists took primary responsibility for collecting these data between 2012 and 2017. Because the detailed roadside inventory was very time consuming, NCBG staff began a more qualitative approach by driving Orange County roads when target wildflowers were in bloom. The inventory groups determined that virtually ALL of the roadsides in Orange County contain significant stretches of native wildflowers. The inventory groups also saw a notable decrease in wildflower occurrence over the 5-year inventory directly attributable to herbicide use. The NC Department of Transportation appears to use mowing as the primary management tool, whereas the power companies tend to use herbicides. Although possibly difficult to coordinate, we recommend that NCDOT partner with the power companies and return to mowing Orange County roadsides. NCBG Conservation Department biologists are happy to assist with the plans that might be developed to maintain and celebrate the natural beauty and ecological importance of Orange County roadsides. Thank you for forwarding this information to the Board of County Commissioners. I am happy to speak with the CfE, Orange County staff, and BOCC members. Sincerely, Johnny Randall, PhD Director of Conservation